By Thomas Sellers Jr.
International Goat Days has attracted millions of visitors to Millington, Tenn., over the past 30 years.
When the 30th edition kicked off at USA Stadium Friday, the traditional The World’s Greatest Goat Parade” featuring the Millington Middle School Band had Connecticut native Dawn Detje elated.
With her now teenage daughters Emily and Lindsey by her side, Detje was glad to be back to the festival she had grown to love.
“This is our eighth one,” she said. “We love Goat Days. We buy shirts every year. We buy shirts for family members who live in Connecticut because that is where we’re from. It’s just small town love, life and we love the sense of community.”
After the opening ceremonies hosted by Millington Mayor Terry Jones and Kaja Kelson (The Dream Coach Studio Singers) singing the National Anthem, it was time for the 30th Annual Event. Festival gates opened shortly after the parade. Other Friday night showcases included live music from Twin Soul, Equestrian events with old West Special Trails, Hot Air Balloon Rides, Tennessee Dairy Goat Association Milking Demonstrations and Goat Obstacle Course Demonstrations, Myotonic Goat Show, Arts and Crafts benefiting the Millington Arts Council, Business and Civic Group Vendors, the Kid Zone benefiting Millington Kiwanis Club, Antique Tractor Show, KCBS Championship BBQ Contest and more.
Detje’s husband Chris missed all of the festivities because the is currently deployed in Korea. But it was his time in Millington that introduced the family to Goat Days.
“We’ll be here tonight and we’ll come back all day tomorrow,” she said. “We like the Goat Parade. We like people dressing their goats up and walking them around as pets. The petting zoo and tractor pulls are very exciting.
The Detje family first visited Goat Days in 2002. Dawn’s favorite event of all time was the goat chariot races. She said Goat Days is filled with so much tradition that people should experience.
“I just hope Goat Days continues year after year because it’s a sense of community,” she concluded. “It’s something for people to come out to. And it gives Millington something to be proud of.”
